Zinc Oxide Gives Green Shine To New Photoconductors
Thursday, March 26, 2009 - 21:35
in Physics & Chemistry
Northwestern University researchers have designed a high-performing photoconducting material that uses zinc oxide -- an environmentally friendly inorganic compound found in baby powder and suntan lotion -- instead of lead sulfide. The best performing photoconductor is based on lead sulfide nanoparticles. The new material converts light into electricity but, unlike conventional materials, also features a novel combination of attractive attributes: environmentally benign chemistry, low-cost production, a high level of detectivity, mechanical flexibility and wavelength tunability.